Page 21 - DnD_5e_Players_Handbook_(BnW_OCR)
P. 21

lives:  a place to  settle in peace and quiet, far from
                                                                       marauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire
                                                                       and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation.
                                                                       Though som e halflings live out their days in remote
                                                                       agricultural communities, others form nomadic bands
                                                                       that travel constantly, lured by the open road and the
                                                                       wide horizon to discover the w onders of new lands and
                                                                       peoples. But even these wanderers love peace, food,
                                                                       hearth, and home, though home might be a wagon
                                                                       jostling along an dirt road or a raft floating downriver.

                                                                       S m a l l   a n d   P r  a  c  t  i c  a  l
                                                                       The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger
                                                                       creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding
                                                                       offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively
                                                                       harm less and so have managed to survive for centuries
                                                                       in the shadow of empires and on the edges o f wars and
                                                                       political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing
                                                                       between 40 and 45 pounds.
                                                                         Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy
                                                                       cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown
                                                                       and wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men
                                                                       often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among
                                                                       them and mustaches even m ore so. They like to wear
                     H a l f l in g
                                                                       simple, comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring
                     R e g is  t h e   h a l f l i n g ,  t h e   o n l y  o n e   o f  h is   k in d   f o r    bright colors.
                                                                         Halfling practicality extends beyond their clothing.
                     hundreds of miles in any direction, locked his fingers be-
                                                                       They’re concerned with basic needs and simple
                     hind his head and leaned back against the mossy blanket
                                                                       pleasures and have little use for ostentation. Even the
                     of the tree trunk. Regis was short, even by the standards   wealthiest of halflings keep their treasures locked in a
                     of his diminutive race, with the fluff o f his curly brown   cellar rather than on display for all to see. They have
                                                                       a knack for finding the most straightforward solution
                     locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was
                                                                       to a problem, and have little patience for dithering.
                     amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or several, as
                     the opportunities presented themselves. The crooked stick   K i n d   a n d   C u r i o u s
                     that served as his fishing pole rose up above him, clenched   Halflings are an affable and cheerful people. They
                     between two of his toes, and hung out over the quiet lake,   cherish the bonds of family and friendship as well
                                                                       as the com forts of hearth and home, harboring few
                     mirrored perfectly in the glassy surface of Maer Dualdon.
                                                                       dream s of gold or glory. Even adventurers among
                                      —R.A. Salvatore, The Crystal Shard  them usually venture into the world for reasons of
   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26